Michelle Obama Credited Mary Tyler Moore as One of Her Inspirations

After TV icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away yesterday at the age of 80, many celebrities reacted to her passing by recalling her beloved roles, both on screen and in modern feminism. But long before Moore's death, former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about how the actress and influenced her life and career.

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She toldVarietylast August that when she was 10 years old, she used to watch The Mary Tyler Moore Show with her family over dessert, along with other favorites like The Jeffersons, All in the Family and The Carol Burnett Show.

The former FLOTUS explained what she admired about Moore in the series:

"She was one of the few single working women depicted on television at the time. She wasn't married. She wasn't looking to get married. At no point did the series end in a happy ending with her finding a husband — which seemed to be the course you had to take as a woman. But she sort of bucked that. She worked in a newsroom, she had a tough boss, and she stood up to him. She had close friends, never bemoaning the fact that she was a single. She was very proud and comfortable in that role."

From 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 1974.

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Moore set a new standard for working women in the '70s, and a preteen Michelle Obama in the audience was already aware of how important that was. She added:

"I was probably 10 or 11 when I saw that, and sort of started thinking, 'You know what? Marriage is an option. Having a family is an option. And going to school and getting your education and building your career is another really viable option that can lead to happiness and fulfillment.'"

Now, looking back at Obama's two terms as First Lady with that knowledge in mind, hints of Moore's influence are obvious. The former FLOTUS shaped her career with major projects like the Reach Higher initiative and Let Girls Learn, and ultimately left the White House as a an admirable working woman and modern feminist icon, much like her idol.

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